RWNEFE -Chapter 359 The Marriages of the Shen Sons

“Shen Lanxi, I am the Crown Princess. How dare you speak to me so rudely? That is disrespect to the imperial family. Don’t think that because His Majesty favors you, you can act without restraint!” the Crown Princess said arrogantly.

Shen Lanxi replied calmly: “Everything you just said will be reported truthfully to His Majesty. I advise you to keep your mouth shut—hurting yourself is one thing, but don’t drag the Crown Prince into it!”

The Crown Princess’s eyes flickered, but in the end, she said nothing more, just glared at Shen Lanxi in anger.

Che Mingyuan and Sun Feng took turns verifying every word with the Crown Prince’s attendants. Seeing that every sentence was recorded, the Crown Princess left for her chambers, sulking.

The ministers in the court could see things clearly—nothing would be discovered, and in the end, a single person would be singled out for blame.

Shen Lanxi went through a five-day procedural display; the final verdict was jointly confirmed by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Court of Judicial Review.

It was still the remnants of the Li King causing trouble.

…

Zhou Ruyuan had been sent to Xishan to suppress bandits, and Shen Lanxi felt as though she was on the verge of clearing the fog and seeing the truth.

On the sixth day of the second month, Old Madam Shen’s birthday arrived.

The day before, Shen Lanxi stayed at the Shen residence and chatted with the family.

“Yuanjing’s side reports that Kang Zhu is pregnant,” said Old Madam Shen, her face beaming.

Madam Liu, not wanting to be outdone, added: “Jinyu hasn’t had a change of clothes this month either. She just told me the other day. I was hesitant due to the timing, but when the palace physician comes to check the princess’s pulse for safety, I’ll take the chance to have Jinyu examined as well.”

Old Madam Shen was delighted.

“Good, very good. A while ago, Lanxi gave me some precious herbs—pick what’s useful for Jinyu.”

Madam Liu was pleased, feeling triumphant.

“I’ll take advantage of Lanxi’s favor then.”

Madams Miao and Tian pursed their lips silently, quietly nudging their husbands under the table.

Shen Congli, annoyed by the nudges, hesitated before speaking: “Mother, the marriages of our daughters are all arranged. Next month, Yuanxin is getting married too. It’s just… the sons’ marriages are a bit… unsettled.”

Old Madam Shen had also been thinking about this.

“I heard that one of your sons by a concubine married a merchant girl?”

At this, Shen Congli could hardly lift his head.

Not because his son married a merchant girl, but because sending the concubine’s son away had indirectly jeopardized the careers of his other sons.

If it weren’t for Madam Miao constantly pestering him, he would never have brought it up.

“Yes, that’s true. I figured he would settle outside the family anyway, so consider him separated from the main household.”

Old Madam Shen was satisfied with this arrangement; after all, he was family. If he married outside, the household would leave him be.

“Princess, during tomorrow’s birthday banquet, please help prepare for the children,” Old Madam Shen said to Zhou Xinrou.

“Yes, Mother,” Zhou Xinrou replied.

That evening, Shen Lanxi called all the sons present in the household together.

“You are all of marriageable age. Is there anyone you fancy?”

“Even if your families don’t match, it’s fine—I’ll speak for you and convince them.”

Among the Shen sons, a few indeed felt moved. They didn’t say anything publicly, but one by one came to her room after Shen Lanxi retired.

“Big Sister, I like Liu Yanhui’s younger sister. Given the situation at home, can I propose?” Shen Yuanjun hesitated, not because he feared his family’s objection, but because past family troubles made him wary of causing harm to others.

Since returning to the capital, Shen Lanxi had not seen Liu Yanhui. To avoid suspicion, Liu Yanhui rarely appeared.

“When our family was exiled to Dongchuan, she was just a little girl, right?” Shen Lanxi asked, teasing her brother.

Shen Yuanxu quickly explained: “We met at the Dongchuan military camp. At that time, she was studying medicine under a female doctor.” His cheeks reddened as he spoke.

Her brother was strong and sturdy; his sudden shyness looked awkward.

“And she agrees?”

Shen Yuanjun’s face turned redder, and he couldn’t speak.

“Alright, I’ll ask the Liu family tomorrow.”

Shen Yuanjun immediately relaxed, making her laugh.

“If I don’t ask, have you been holding it in all this time?”

Shen Yuanjun smiled foolishly: “Big Sister, I won’t delay anything with A’Gui. When the time is right, I’ll speak up.”

Shen Lanxi said in exasperation: “Aren’t you afraid His Majesty might arrange a marriage for you?”

Shen Yuanjun was startled: “No way, Big Sister. Didn’t you say His Majesty fears our family?”

Times had changed, though, because she now wielded influence.

“Arrange the marriages of the sons as quickly as possible, to avoid being schemed against!” she said. She now had Emperor Renxiao’s trust, was the Duke of Juding, and controlled the Imperial Guards—unique in the capital.

Of course, Renxiao did not want the Shen family to grow further. A killing knife didn’t need a master craftsman or luxury—fast and effective was enough.

Shen Yuanjun was relieved to finally speak.

No sooner had he left than Shen Yuankun arrived.

“Big Sister, I like a female guard.”

Shen Lanxi asked: “Name?”

Shen Yuankun hesitated: “Tian Qiuman.”

Shen Lanxi chuckled: “Good taste.” He had chosen the head of her female guards.

He had been afraid she’d overthink things, hence the hesitation.

“Big Sister, I like Qiuman. She doesn’t know. Can you help me play matchmaker?”

Shen Lanxi sighed: “…”

“Your marriage, I won’t interfere with. If she agrees, you’ll be married. If I intervene and she doesn’t truly like you, it’ll just be forced—like a melon ripped from the vine.”

Shen Yuankun looked up shyly: “Big Sister, should I go talk to her now?”

Shen Lanxi scolded: “I hate men who hesitate endlessly. Qiuman probably does too!”

Shen Yuankun hurried off to find her.

Later, Shen Yuanqing, Shen Yuanzhao, and Shen Yuanqing also came to her; after seeing them off, Shen Lanxi began arranging matters.

At Old Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, Shen Yuantang was released from confinement.

“Big Sister, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. I promise I won’t do it again,” Shen Yuantang said pitifully to Shen Lanxi.

“Alright, I forgive you!” Shen Lanxi said casually.

Shen Yuantang froze in surprise.

Big Sister forgave her so easily?

“Since Big Sister has forgiven me, can you tell the prince to lift my confinement? I’d like to move about the household more,” she asked.

Shen Lanxi knew her motive, so it didn’t surprise her.

“You are a concubine of the prince’s household, bound by its rules. I have no ties to the prince’s mansion—at most, I am a colleague of the Duke of Zhen Nan. If it were your friend’s family affairs, would it be appropriate for you to interfere?”